HR violations by military in Leyte denied

ORMOC CITY, Philippines  — There are no human rights violations or militarization particularly at Roxas, Villa Aurora and other barangays of Burauen town in Leyte, where an encounter occurred recently between the rebels and government troops. 

This was the declaration of both town Mayor Fe Renomeron and 78th Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Nolasco Mempin in reaction to accusations from some quarters that tried to discredit the presence of soldiers in the area.

“I don’t believe it! Walay abuses, otherwise if there are, I don’t tolerate them,” said Renomeron, as she cited the importance of the military in her town, which is the main access to the cities of Baybay and Ormoc if taking the mountain route. “We need talaga the military,” she said.

Renomeron has her constituents to cooperate instead, and her barangay officials to be vigilant and refrain from entertaining strangers and other groups without proper coordination from her office.

Mempin added: “Walang katotohanan yung sinasabi nilang pag-aabuso ng mga sundalo at yan ay black propaganda lang nila against sa military. Napamahal na tayo sa community kaya sila na mismong mga tao ang nagsusumbong sa atin tungkol sa mga ginagawa sa kanila ng mga taga kabila (NPA).”

Meanwhile, the 802nd Infantry Brigade, headed by Col. John Bonafos,Soldiers, has deployed soldiers from the 83rd Division Reconnaissance Company of the Philippine Army to Leyte province last December to replace special forces there.

Their presence in Leyte was in response to the reports from the locals that they have been threatened by the armed communist groups. 

There were also reports on harassment done by the rebels, operating in the area, causing farmers here hard to harvest and sell their farm products. A resident of Villa Aurora recalled that three armed men blocked his way home and then took the half-sack of copra he was carrying then.  (FREEMAN)